Senate committee approves measure to raise governor's salary

[rainbow4321]

Just peachy...the state is in the red, we can't afford to fund schools or much else, but they are about to given THEMSELVES a friggin' 30%+ PAYRAISE!!!


http://www.mysanantonio.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D88OOO400.html

As lawmakers debate over salary increases for teachers, a Senate committee approved a proposal that would give the governor and other elected officials a more than 30 percent raise.

Under the measure, Perry's annual salary would increase from $115,000 to $150,000. The pay for other statewide elected officials would go up from $92,217 to $125,000

"They're entitled to that level of compensation," said committee chairman Steve Ogden, the Bryan Republican who sponsored the measure. "Like anything else in state government, you get what you pay for."

The last raise for state officials, about a 20 percent increase, came in 1995

[Richardo]

1. "Like anything else in state government, you get what you pay for."

A true disciple of Tom DeLay, no?

This has to be one of the most idiotic statements ever by a public official. Probably sounded better in his head than it does spoken aloud.

Moran.

[NoPasaran]

3. From this day forward

Let him be known as Steve "You get what you pay for" Ogden. Framing, people, it's all about the framing.

[rainbow4321]

6. Now they are all "we didn't ask for it but won't say we will refuse it"

What a bunch of idiots...you either agree w/ it or NOT...poor babies being forced to take a 30% pay increase!


http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/stories/031105dntexstatepay.4013b.html

He would not say, though, whether Mr. Perry would use a line-item veto to strike the raises or refuse to take the money if the Legislature approves it anyway.

"We're not going to speculate on what might come to his desk," Mr. Black said.

Aides to Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn and Attorney General Greg Abbott expressed ambivalence about the raise, saying they hadn't asked for it. Neither official's aides indicated whether their bosses would accept the raises.

"We're not going to play what-if games," said Mark Sanders, a spokesman for Mrs. Strayhorn.

[GOPisEvil]

2. In fairness to Sen. Ogden, he's supporting a raise for us low-level

state employees, too.

BUT WE'RE NOT GETTING THIRTY FUCKING PERCENT!!! :grr:

[Richardo]

4. Governor should be a non-salaried position...

I mean really. Anyone who makes it that far is likely a millionaire several times over and is in it for the (alleged) power or as a stepping stone to REAL political power. (Like Kinky says: "How hard can it be?")

I've no problems with paying my state employees a competitive wage, but elected executive-branch officials are another matter.

[GOPisEvil]

5. Ha! No one ever says they're running for Governor for the money!

I have no issue with the Governor getting paida salary, but if he gets more of a raise than the rest of the state employees, that gets me ticked off. If we have to live with a 4.whatever% raise, then so should he.

[alarimer]

10. no that's the outrageous part

The pay raise they are proposing is 4.5% a year for two years but it wouldn't start with the new fiscal year in Sept; it would start in Jan 2006.

[sonias]

7. LTTE time

I agree that the Governor and staff getting a 30% pay raise when teachers and kids are doing with so much less is outrageous. Now get out there and call them for it.

Reminds me of a Chris Rock skit about the $9 billion in Iraq Funds for reconstruction that were lost due to bad management. Chris said something like "you think if you came up short 9 billion short in your cash register, Burger King wouldn't fire your ass. Only in American politics do we re-hire a manager and reward him for doing a shitty job."

Looks like Texas repukes are happy with bad management as well.

Sonia

[GOPisEvil]

8. Gov. Goodhair's raise should be no larger than the raise state employees

receive. If we get nothing, he gets nothing. If we get 3%, he gets 3%.

[merci_me]

9. We do have a major problem with what we pay

our State lege and this is where we should be looking for for the State offices, not shopping the millionaire boys clubs.

We've been kicking around, who can we find to challenge some of the repukes and here's a major hurdle.........

If a person is not independently wealthy or owned by a corporation or law firm who is USING them for THEIR own purposes, to institute legislation to benefit THEM and not US, how can they take a 6 month break from work to serve in the legislature? How can they be available whenever a special session is called?

Look around you at the Dems you know. Who among them (especially not living in the Austin area) can do it? Do you know a teacher, a truck driver, a nurse, a firefighter, a retail manager, etc, who can take off 6 months and walk back in, until the governor calls them back?

Seriously, start making a list of dedicated Dems you know who could do it. Look at yourself..........could you pack a bag and move into an apartment in Austin "as needed"? Why not?? Do you still wonder why the repukes have a bottomless list of bought and paid candidates and we are always begging? And aren't we Dems the last to want to pay people to serve in government and then complain that we end up with wealthy repukes?

Well, you better start hanging out at the AARP meetings looking for Dems who can afford to have a legislative pittance deducted from their Social Security.

Mary